According to Cinemobile Phase III - JPIC-IDC, Inc.
information and advocacy officer Joeruce O.. Butcon, the training will be
participated by the Prosecutors, Social Workers, Women and Children Protection
Desk (WCPD) Officer, Investigation Officers, Criminal Investigation Group
(CIDG), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Anti-Cyber Unit.

The JPIC-IDC is a faith–inspired non-government
organization that envisions in helping people and communities in achieving its
holistic development.

Butcon said, JPIC-IDC is currently serving thru
CINEMOBILE Phase III project, which aims for the “Capacity development of
structures and competencies of state and non-state actors to fight against
human trafficking in Caraga region, Mindanao” in which the project areas are
the two provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur particularly in the
areas of Butuan City, Cabadbaran City, Nasipit, Bayugan City, municipalities of
Bunawan and Prosperidad.

“With this new project venture, we will continue
our concerted efforts in combating commercial sexual exploitation through
trafficking in which we will respond, protect and prevent sexual abuse and
exploitation of women and children,” said JPIC-IDC information/advocacy officer
Jose D. Butcon. (PIA-Agusan del Norte)

DTI urges public to avail services of accredited
repair shops

By Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 25 (PIA) -
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) encouraged the general public to
avail of services from electronic and automotive repair shops accredited by the
agency for the general welfare and safety.

In its latest monitoring, a number of repair shops
are operating without the DTI accreditation as they were not able to comply
important requirements including that of having TESDA accredited service
technician, basic important tools and equipment, and the prescribed
comprehensive general liability insurance cover, among others.

For the protection of customers, insurance
coverage in required for service and repair shops establishments just in case
there will be losses and damages of the items or equipment deposited in the
shops during fires and/or other incidents.

DTI Surigao del Norte provincial director
Celestino L. Negapatan advised the public that before availing services they
should ask the establishment for their valid accreditation documents.

Interested parties for the updated list of
accredited service and repair shops establishment in the province of Surigao of
Surigao del Norte, they can visit the DTI Provincial Office at 2nd Floor
Simtoco Building, Burgos Street, this city. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del
Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Feature: Alcantara: Keeping the sports emblem
blaze

By Carlos Chow Corres

According to Michael Phelps, one can’t put a limit
on anything. The more you dream, the further you get. Arven Alcantara is an
exemplar of Phelps’ maxim. A simple school boy transformed into one of the
brighter stars in the field of taekwondo. Today, he is an inspiration to the
multitude of aspiring sports enthusiasts.

Born in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur and spent
elementary education at San Miguel Central Elementary School, Arven was just a
kid who loved joining school’s athletic events. He spent first year high school
at San Miguel Comprehensive National high School, transferred second year and
finished high school at Jacinto P. Elpa National high School, Tandag City,
school year 2012-2013.

During his high school years, he was a yearly
consistent gold medalist for taekwondo in both provincial and regional athletic
meets. He set record for Caraga Region in Taekwondo when he bagged gold medal
in the 2010 Palarong Pambansa at Dapitan City.

With his determination to continue his dreams, he
conquered the national sports scene. Having known of his exemplary performance
in taekwondo, he became a member of the University Athletic Association of the
Philippines. He received numerous recognition and awards, to include: Most
Valuable Player Best of the best; Silver medalist (welter Weight Division) UAAP
Season 76; Gold medalist (Light Weight Division) Philippine National Games, and
Gold Medalist in various university-based taekwondo competitions.

His performance was not only known in the
Philippines but even in the international sports society. He grabbed gold medal
in ASEAN University Games held at Palembang, Indonesia giving credits to team
Philippines. Alcantara was also one of the strongest members of the Phil-Smart
team vied for the 2014 World University Taekwondo Championships at Hohhot,
China.

Currently, he is a third year student at National
University (NU) taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
majoring Marketing Management. He is a Taekwondo team captain of National
University, Manila, a member of National University Bulldogs and National
Philippine Team for Taekwondo.

Arven Alcantara is a person worth emulating. His
determination and optimism are the most essential traits that aspiring sports
individuals must emulate. As he lit the urn with blazing flame during the 18th
Caraga Regional Athletic Meet in Tandag City, the message stances that every
athlete should keep the fire of discipline burning and spirit of sportsmanship
ablaze. (NGBT/DepEd Division of SDS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

As they hear the clang of the distant bell, the
loud resonant repeating noise signal that they should gather in their
multi-purpose hall located in the heart of their village.

This had been the practice of the Higaonons in
Barangay Kinamaybay, Esperanza in Agusan del Sur during their implementation of
the Kalahi-CIDSS program which calls for assemblies to encourage the maximum
involvement of the residents.

Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-
Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is one of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD's) big ticket
poverty-reduction programs which mainly focuses in the empowerment of ordinary
citizens by way of their inclusion and active participation in local governance
and key community activities meant to address local poverty issues. It uses the
Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach which ensures the inclusion of the
Indigenous People (IP) and other vulnerable sectors in community
decision-making.

Community involvement

Samuel A. Ampahan, 31, serving as a chairperson of
the Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee (BSPMC), opens about his
unforgettable experiences in the Kalahi-CIDSS program. He narrates how the
residents obediently and actively join the assemblies conducted by the
facilitators of the said program. With their participation in the said
activities, they were able to articulate the kind of sub-projects that the
whole community needs and were deprived of having been situated in a far-flung
area.

Samuel reminisces that it was hard to organize a
pool of volunteers from their community because most of the villagers were
afraid to affiliate due to lack of education, and some are even “no read-and-no
write.”

“Hadlok man gud mi sa una kay wala baya jud mi
kahibalo intawon unsa ang amoa buhaton, mga ultimo ra baya jud mi nga mga lumad
(We were afraid before because we don’t know anything and we do not know what
are we going to do, we are just natives in this place),” expresses Jeny S.
Gallego, 45, one of the members of the barangay council.

But nonetheless, as Samuel shares, they were
patiently encouraged by their community facilitators to venture in joining as
volunteers for the program. They were promised to be taught and guided well
along the implementation.

Also serving a pastor in a church in his
community, Samuel shares his honest observations on the distinct and finicky
process of the Program. He opens about the participation, transparency, and
accountability principles as salient dimensions of Kalahi-CIDSS.

“Ang proyekto wala namili kung kinsa ang
mo-boluntaryo, kaming mga lumad gihatagan ug katungod ug oportunidad (The
project didn’t choose who to volunteer, we were the ones given the authority as
well as opportunities),” Samuel testifies.

With the five sub-projects which are the road, day
care center, rice and corn mill, solar dryer, and concrete pathway availed by
Kinamaybay through the Kalahi-CIDSS program, their small community appreciated
how unity can contribute in accomplishing many things.

He added that their presentation during the
Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum (MIBF) was entitled “Nag-anyugon/Nag-antos sa
Kalisod (Suffering from Poverty).” However, they are very glad today that their
poverty situation is slowly eradicated through the interventions of the program
since it opened many doors for the other agencies to help their community.

“Bisan kami nahilayo sa kabihasnan, pero kami
naabot jud sa hinabang sa gobyerno (Even though we are distant in location, the
help from the Government still reaches us),” adds Pinahan.

Marife S. Escabas, 27, Leslie G. Manpatilan, 20,
Marisa S. Aya, 38, and the other Higaonon volunteers in Kinamaybay, relate how
their exposure in the various trainings conducted by the program, have helped
them develop their interpersonal and social skills. According to them, they
were then very shy and were afraid to socialize with people other than their
neighbors. With their experiences in workshops, canvassing for the materials to
be used in the implementation, regular meetings, and their achievement of
realizing high-cost sub-projects, they have become more confident.

With the five Kalahi-CIDSS sub-projects
implemented in their small village, Kinamaybay can now be easily accessed
compared before that it would be really hard to reach the community. The
presence of the sub-projects in their locality contributed much in the
residents’ settling down in their place. Their basic needs for food and
survival were also addressed, and the villagers themselves testify that their
situation is not anymore as hard as before.

The Higaonons in Kinamaybay may be some of the
most marginalized and vulnerable sector in the society. It is aimed by the national government that
through Kalahi-CIDSS, they will have access to the basic social services, and
will have their voice to articulate their unique needs as IPs. The program,
through its CDD approach, will ensure that no one is left behind. (Social
Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

PNP: No protest action in SurSur on EDSA People
Power anniversary

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) – The Philippine
National Police (PNP) in Surigao del Sur has not monitored any group set to
stage a protest action to mark the 29th EDSA People Power anniversary
celebration here.

However, P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero, PNP acting
provincial director, assured that the entire police force is always ready to
respond to any call of duty.

The provincial chief PNP admitted his men are busy
with the security measures being carried out due to the ongoing 18th Caraga
Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM) being held in Tandag City this week.

Also, Verdadero pointed out they remain in close
contact with their army counterparts.

Meanwhile, he said that a good peace and order
situation continues to prevail province-wide, adding that they always keep a
watchful eye especially on the New People’s Army (NPA). (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Feature: Peace and dev’t projects pacify mothers’
anxieties

By Eunice G. Montaos

Knocks in the middle of the night, fox holes under
their house, and her father’s sudden casual disappearances-these were some
scenarios that were lived by Janita P. Acuña in her younger years when their
community was yet a haven of insurgency. Peace then was but a luxury.

These dreadful experiences in growing up were
Janita’s strong motivation to choose and maintain a peaceful community their
village has become.

Lone parenting

At 42, she is a mother of six children whose ages
range from 5 to 18. Her family had to be away from her husband, Francisco, 42,
who is working very hard as a security guard in Cagayan de Oro.

With the distance, Francisco could only afford to
visit them in Villa Verde, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, only thrice a month. This
gives a lot of challenge to Janita in terms of taking care of their children.

In late afternoons and early nights when her
children walk towards home from their school, Janita sometimes feels anxious
having no lights in the streets to guide her children’s paths towards home. As
a mother, she knows that dark areas are always susceptible to danger.

This was the very reason behind her affiliation as
a volunteer for the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamanayaNAn (PAMANA) project which was
implemented under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and
Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program of the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Though she was hesitant at first because she is
toothless more so she thought she has no pleasing personality. But for the sake
of the safety of her children, she sacrificed for the solar streetlights to be
realized in her community. These she did so that her children can go home
safely.

Though she tearfully shares her disappointment
that she was not included in the engraved list of names of volunteers for the
health station sub-project during the Kalahi-CIDSS:KKB, Lyra Vee A. Vigonte,
42, still volunteered in the implementation of PAMANA projects.

As a mother, she longs to leave a legacy for her
only child. She, too, like most mothers, wants her child to be proud of her.

Serving as the chairperson for the Project
Preparation and Operations and Maintenance teams during the implementation of
the water system sub-project in Villa Verde, Lyra shares that she does not want
her child to question her someday why she didn’t participate in putting up the
said sub-project.

The successful water system sub-project completion
in the village eventually answered the need of Lyra’s family for enough water
supply but also her co-villagers’ as well.

“Kahinumdom pa jud ko sa una atong wala pa ang
proyekto, mubangon ko ug alas-kwatro sa kaadlawon para magpila mangabo ug tubig
unya makauli ko sa among balay alas-kwatro na pud sa hapon (I can still
remember before the project was put up in the village, I will have to wake up
as early as 4 o’clock in the morning to queue for the water and I went back
home as late as 4 o’clock in the afternoon),” opened Desideria T. Rarasonabe,
54, a resident of Villa Verde.

Punong Barangay Alejandro T. Panamogan added on
this statement that the problem on the lack of enough potable water supply once
challenged the peaceful situation of their community as it created conflicts
between the residents who all badly need water and also the local barangay council.

“Gubot jud kaayo ang mga katawhan, tungod lang sa
tubig mag-inawayay, ug permi pud mabasol ang council (The people were in
conflict before and they even blame the council for the of water crisis),” he
said further.

Problems solved, conflicts settled

The conflict which was caused by the problem in
water was solved through the funds made available from the combined resources
of Kalahi-CIDSS Makamasang Tugon and PAMANA cycle 1, various community
consultations, bayanihan/pahina activities, and active participation of
volunteers.

These mothers in Villa Verde found an avenue to
develop their skills and to learn significant things through the Kalahi-CIDSS
PAMANA project. They all recognize how distinct the Community-Driven
Development (CDD) approach incorporated by the Program as it promoted
understanding and unity between and among the residents and the local barangay
council.

Apart from motherhood, they found themselves as
project implementers and peacekeepers in their won simple way.

With their experiences in the intervention of the
program, the anxieties which are but innate to every mother were all answered
through the peace and development efforts of the national government. (Social
Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

Feature: Saludo 2015… A breath-taking spectacle

By Jay C. Dalman

The Caraga Regional Athletic Meet 2015 kicked off
with a blast of colors for the annually anticipated Saludo afternoon of
February 22, 2015 held at the Surigao del Sur Sports Center arena in Tandag
City. Everyone in attendance feasted on the impressive presentations of the 12
delegations comprising the Region of Caraga. Every division has its unique and
creative way of showcasing its exhibition. Government officials, DepEd Division
Leaders, Physical Education and Sports Supervisor (PESS) Coordinators and
guests led the forefront of their respective contingent which fostered an
inspiration for every athlete to put their best foot forward.

The delegation from Agusan del Norte gave the
fabulous opening in their red and white ensemble. Their entrance was
highlighted by raising their caps in harmony with their chanting and hand
movements. Agusan del Sur Division followed in a hue of lemon yellow designed
with a patch of blue. The hand movements with emphasis of hand salutes wrapped
their performance. Bayugan City, who appeared in mint green and stripe yellow
pattern, also showed a fantastic performance. Maroon and white spelled the
performance of Bislig City Division matched with smooth execution, synchronized
foot work and chanting. Butuan City nailed their performance by showcasing hand
movements which emphasized the contrast of their green and yellow inspired
uniform. Meanwhile, Cabadbaran delegation appeared in a subtle avocado green
with a complement of orange. Their entrance came out in a slow pacing,
coordinated with dramatic strides which added effects to their already
awe-inspiring performance. The Dinagat Islands Division also came out in
surprise with their powder blue and yellow attire accented with red backpacks.
Their nice pacing quite made an impression on their over-all performance.

Another presentation which also made a mark was
that of Siargao Division sporting a shade of violet variegated with white and
yellow; their miming movements of the ocean waves brought the house down -
truly our country’s surfing capital. The throng of delegation from Surigao City
emerged in royal blue and yellow. They gave a bit of hilarious ending by saying
“‘Adto nami. Bye! ” which earned an outburst of laughter from the audience.
Surigao del Norte Division was not left behind as they turned up in perfect
cadence and progressive chanting in orange and white uniform. Tandag City made
an impressive impact when they showed body formations and coordinated hand
movements; they looked attractive in peach mixed with lines of sky blue and
white which added to the flavor of their remarkable presentation. Finally, it
was a “save the best for last performance” for the host division - Surigao del
Sur delivered a wonderful treat and wowed the audience in their fuchsia with
black and yellow accent. Their amazing interpretation of Surigao del Sur hymn
was celebrated in hand gestures which made their performance unique and truly
unparalleled.

As a whole,
the SALUDO presentation has turned the entire field into colorful patterns,
rhythmic cadence, synchronized chanting and choreographed hand movements.
Indeed, it ushered for a wonderful beginning – an astounding expression of
salutation - a perfect opening for CRAM 2015. (NGBT/DepEd Division of
SDS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)